'Karakorum' follows one man's quest to convert the Great Khan to Christianity in the Mongol capital Karakorum.
It's an expansive musical journey performed by Australian Brandenburg Orchestra joined by La Camera delle Lacrime.
Here, Artistic Director Paul Dyer pens an open letter about the show.
“I have an extremely happy memory from a few years ago, driving to the medieval town of La Chaise-Dieu, in the Auvergne region of France for the La Chaise-Dieu Music Festival. The hour-long journey through a vast magical emerald forest climaxed when I saw a huge majestic Abbey rising from a mountaintop in the tiny historic town. It was absolutely breathtaking!
One afternoon at the festival, Bruce Applebaum (the co-founder of the Brandenburg) suggested we attend a concert in the Chapelle des Pénitents within the Abbey called 'Orient et Occident'. It was performed by the French ensemble La Camera delle Lacrime, directed by the super charismatic singer Bruno Bonhourne along with his colleague Khaï-dong Luong and five incredible musicians, specialising in various medieval instruments from a range of different cultures.
The concert reimagined the music and cultures encountered by 13th-century Flemish monk William of Rubruck on his extraordinary Silk Road journey from Constantinople to Karakorum – the ancient capital of the Mongol empire. I was so excited, elated and inspired by what experienced that I rushed backstage to speak with Bruno and Khaï-dong where I instantly invited them to come to Australia and perform with the Brandenburg.
And now the time has come and our Australian tour of ‘Karakorum’ coming to QPAC. Brisbane, you are in for a treat!
I’ve engaged one of the world’s finest actors David Wenham to narrate young NIDA graduate playwright Michael Costi’s new English text which has been imaginatively adapted from William of Rubruck’s ancient diary from 1253. Director Constantine Costi has returned from work in Italy to cleverly stage this production for us.
The outstanding French musicians of La Camera delle Lacrime will perform alongside members of our Brandenburg orchestra and choir with David Wenham, and as I write this, we are about to start rehearsals. We’re all very excited about making new friends and creating an exciting show together, and I hope you don’t miss it!”
– Paul Dyer
One afternoon at the festival, Bruce Applebaum (the co-founder of the Brandenburg) suggested we attend a concert in the Chapelle des Pénitents within the Abbey called 'Orient et Occident'. It was performed by the French ensemble La Camera delle Lacrime, directed by the super charismatic singer Bruno Bonhourne along with his colleague Khaï-dong Luong and five incredible musicians, specialising in various medieval instruments from a range of different cultures.
The concert reimagined the music and cultures encountered by 13th-century Flemish monk William of Rubruck on his extraordinary Silk Road journey from Constantinople to Karakorum – the ancient capital of the Mongol empire. I was so excited, elated and inspired by what experienced that I rushed backstage to speak with Bruno and Khaï-dong where I instantly invited them to come to Australia and perform with the Brandenburg.
And now the time has come and our Australian tour of ‘Karakorum’ coming to QPAC. Brisbane, you are in for a treat!
I’ve engaged one of the world’s finest actors David Wenham to narrate young NIDA graduate playwright Michael Costi’s new English text which has been imaginatively adapted from William of Rubruck’s ancient diary from 1253. Director Constantine Costi has returned from work in Italy to cleverly stage this production for us.
The outstanding French musicians of La Camera delle Lacrime will perform alongside members of our Brandenburg orchestra and choir with David Wenham, and as I write this, we are about to start rehearsals. We’re all very excited about making new friends and creating an exciting show together, and I hope you don’t miss it!”
– Paul Dyer
